Beth El Temple of West Hartford

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Welcome To Beth El Temple!

Learning

We enjoy and encourage all levels of learning, from our youngest members to our lifelong learners. Discover ways to grow in your faith with us.

Mitzvot

We are cooking, planting, knitting and donating our way to a better world. See how you can join us in making an impact today.

Services

Discover our wide range of worship options, from traditional sanctuary services to Shabbat yoga and outdoor celebrations.

Community

Our inclusive family welcomes you to join us as we come together for celebrations and comfort.

EXPLORE OUR COMMUNITY

What’s Happening at Beth El Temple

FridayFri, 24 FebFebruary, 2023

Friday, Feb 24th 5:30p to 7:00pWe invite you and your kiddos to welcome Shabbat at Beth El! Shababa is a fun, engaging evening for our youngest generation. Geared toward children 0-8 and their families, we invite you to experience the joy of Shabbat with dancing, singing, stories, and prayers, followed by a joyful Shabbat dinner experience for all (including dinner for the kids, and food for grown-ups, too!). RSVP below to join Rabbi Rachel Zerin and Jason Kay for this fun program.

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SundaySun, 26 FebFebruary, 2023

Breakfast Program with Doron Sheffer, UConn Huskies and Israeli Retired Professional Basketball Player

Sunday, Feb 26th 9:15a to 11:30aJoin us for a breakfast program with Doron Sheffer, Israeli Retired Professional Basketball Player! Sheffer is a father of five and lives with his family in Moshav Amirim in the Galilee, Israel. Since 1988, basketball has been an inseparable part of his life. He played for the UConn Huskies from 1993-1996 under coach Jim Calhoun. In his first season, Sheffer was the Big East Conference Rookie of the Year. While at UConn, Sheffer formed a trio (with fellow starters Ray Allen and Kevin Ollie) that won the Big East basketball championship in three straight years. He is the only player from UConn with 1,000 points and 500 assists, in three varsity seasons. He has also played on several Israeli teams including the Israeli National team. In 2002, following a diagnosis with cancer, Sheffer thoroughly changed his way of life on all levels: physically, mentally and spiritually. Today, he is a writer & speaker, life coach and workshop presenter. He gives talks and workshops that appeal to a wide range of audiences of all ages, in which he tells his life story and provides tools and tips for a more healthy, happy and balanced way of living. In his most recent book, The Game of Life, Sheffer demonstrates the connection between body and mind; the physical and spiritual worlds; the basketball game and the world of the Torah; and past, present and future. On one court biblical Moses, Joseph the righteous and King David play with Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. In his own unique manner, Doron uses the basketball game as an allegory for life and utilizes it as an educational and therapeutic tool that can help us win a much greater, more significant game than the one played on the basketball courts – a game he refers to as The Game of Life. The Game of Life will be available for purchase. Book signing will follow the program. RSVP Required. Any RSVPs after February 22nd or walk-ins will be accommodated at the discretion of the Men’s Club and will be subject to an additional cost of $5 per person. RSVP by Wednesday, February 22, 2023. Questions? Please contact Michael Bloom (860.983.3476 or michaelbloom820@gmail.com). This event is co-sponsored by Beth El Men’s Club and Israel Engagement Committee.

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MondayMon, 6 MarMarch, 2023

Purim Pasta Bar Dinner & Megillah Reading

Monday, Mar 6th 5:30p to 8:00pJoin us to welcome Purim with a pasta dinner & Megillah reading! Pick up your Mishloach Manot and bring a box of pasta to drown out Haman's name (and then to donate to JFS)! 5:30 - Purim Pasta Bar Dinner 5:45 - Pasta Dinner ($8/adult pasta eater, $5/child pasta eater) 6:15 - The Story of Esther - an English retelling for kids 6 and under 6:30 - Ma'ariv and Megillah Reading - complete with a costume parade, a sing-a-long, and Kahoot! trivia to test your knowledge of the Megillah! 7:30 Hamantaschen Click in to register!

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MondayMon, 13 MarMarch, 2023

Book Discussion with Lynda Cohen Loigman: The Matchmaker's Gift

Monday, Mar 13th 7:00p to 9:00pMs. Loigman discussed one of her earlier novels, The Wartime Sisters, at a Women's Network event a few years ago, and we are very excited to welcome her back as our Women's History Month guest speaker! USA Today bestselling author Lynda Cohen Loigman will join us to discuss her latest book, The Matchmaker’s Gift, a story about two women from two different eras—a matchmaker and her divorce attorney granddaughter—who defy societal expectations and embrace their unique gift for seeing soulmates in the most unexpected of places. Most Jewish matchmakers in early 1900s New York were men, so Loigman explains that she “imagined how a group of religious men would feel about a young, unmarried woman who was blessed with a gift that allowed her to do their job better than they ever could. [...] The Matchmaker’s Gift became a story about women whose intelligence, ambition, and talents were suppressed, but who nonetheless found the strength to follow their calling.” Loigman grew up in Longmeadow, MA. She received a B.A. in English and American Literature from Harvard College and a J.D. from Columbia Law School. Her debut novel, Two-Family House, was a USA Today bestseller and a nominee for the Goodreads 2016 Choice Awards in Historical Fiction. Her second novel, The Wartime Sisters, was selected as a Woman’s World Book Club pick and a Best Book of 2019 by Real Simple Magazine. The Matchmaker’s Gift has been named a Best Book of Fall by Parade - BuzzFeed - New York Post - GMA.com - People.

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SundaySun, 26 MarMarch, 2023

Beth El Music & Arts: Season Concert #2 - History of Israel in Song

Sunday, Mar 26th 7:00p to 9:00pEnjoy an evening of beautiful music with Cantor Joseph Ness and Beth El Music & Arts! Israel carries a great tradition of poets and songwriters, spanning the Ashkenazic and Sephardic cultures. Cantors Ramón Tasat, Sabrina Lipton and others will perform poignant and joyful songs by Jewish composers such as Einstein, Hersh, Shemer and Engel.

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MondayMon, 24 AprApril, 2023

Musical Chat with Cantor Joseph Ness: "Night"

Monday, Apr 24th 7:00p to 9:15pCantor Ness is back with this very popular class! Cantor leads a discussion on various aspects of Jewish music, both culturally and liturgically; a link to the music will be provided before class. For access details, please contact Lydia Lutt (marketing@bethelwh.org).

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FridayFri, 12 MayMay, 2023

Shababa

Friday, May 12th 5:45p to 6:45pShababa is a fun, engaging “service” for our youngest generation. All children ~8 and under (and their siblings, parents, and grandparents) are welcome to experience the joy of Shabbat with dancing, singing, stories, prayers and children's dinner. RSVP today to Rabbi Rachel Zerin in this free program – part of our early childhood education. Sponsorship opportunities are available – for just $50 you can celebrate a child’s birthday by sponsoring a Shababa. To sponsor a dinner, please contact Rabbi Rachel Zerin (rzerin@bethelwh.org or 860-233-9696).

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MondayMon, 29 MayMay, 2023

Musical Chat with Cantor Joseph Ness: "Reapers and Seekers"

Monday, May 29th 7:00p to 8:00pCantor Ness is back with this very popular class! Cantor leads a discussion on various aspects of Jewish music, both culturally and liturgically; a link to the music will be provided before class. For access details, please contact Lydia Lutt (marketing@bethelwh.org).

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SundaySun, 11 JunJune, 2023

Beth El Music & Arts: Season Concert #3 - Opera Extravaganza

Sunday, Jun 11th 7:00p to 9:00pEnjoy a performance of beautiful music with Cantor Joseph Ness and Beth El Music & Arts! Spice up your evening with a variety of opera arias and scenes with exciting guest artists including the talented dramatic soprano, Zhanna Alkhazova and featuring the Beth El Orchestra.

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SundaySun, 6 AugAugust, 2023

Red Cross Blood Drive

Sunday, Aug 6th 8:30a to 1:30pYou can make a lasting impact with an amazing mitzvot by helping the American Red Cross! Please help us make a difference by donating blood at Beth El Temple. Please call 1.800.733.2767 or visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter: WeHa to schedule your appointment. Volunteers are also needed for registration and snacks, please call the office to sign up to volunteer. You can also save up to 15 minutes on the day of your appointment, by simply visiting www.redcrossblood.org/RapidPass to complete your pre-donation reading and health history questions. Everyday heroes like you can help save up to three lives with just one blood donation. Thank you for giving the gift of life.

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